US return a 'crucial' priority for FOTA

Ferrari boss Luca di Montezemolo says bringing Formula 1 back to America will be a key priority for FOTA now that the row over the sport's future is settled.

The teams have repeatedly called for the United States Grand Prix to be revived as America is such a big market for many of the car manufacturers involved in F1.

The race fell off the calendar after 2007 when Bernie Ecclestone was unable to find a suitable agreement with the Indianapolis track that had hosted F1 since 2000.

The situation has been exacerbated this year with the loss of the Canadian GP at Montreal, leaving F1 without an event in North America.

Di Montezemolo said that Ferrari was particularly keen to get F1 back to America, and that it would be among FOTA's top priorities.

"It's absolutely crucial," he said in an interview for Ferrari's official website.

"North America presents, for us, part of our history, with important historic victories for Ferrari at Sebring and Daytona [in sportscars].

"Recently I remember some victories by Michael Schumacher at Indianapolis' Formula 1 track, and this I think was fantastic.

"So we want to go back, because we love the United States.

"The United States has been our largest market for many, many years and so we will do our best to race there again with Formula 1.

"We know we have a lot of fans over there."

Ferrari dominated the US GP for most of its seasons at Indianapolis, with Schumacher winning the 2000, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006 F1 races at the track.

 

Nice to hear. Now we'll see if it actually happens.

 

USGP at Indianapolis. Inevitable.



Thank you for the thread.

 

F1 doesn't belong at Indy the track and surrounding areas are such a joke. Bring a US GP to laguna seca or las vegas.

 

This is an overhashed subject, but, 99.9% will not happen at LS or LV.

For me, Indianpolis was much fun every year, and the facility is the best in the USA. I don't care for circuits built inside an oval, but there were
changes made for MotoGP that would also apply to F1. What I like even less is temporary street circuits, except for the one in Monaco.

One important point, the drivers and the teams really like Indianapolis. And is it already in place. I doubt if anyone in this economy steps up
and either builds a new circuit or revamps an exisiting one. I would be very happy to just have the USGP return.

 

LOL. I'm glad you are not running FOTA.

 

How's this going to happen when they don't want to pay up to Bernie? The FOTA and FIA are so far apart on so many levels I really don't see them working things out without a fight all the way along.

 

Now that they've put Max in his place it is good to see FOTA exercising some influence over Bernie.

 

I think they need to bring the race to Miller Motorsports Park in Utah.

 

+1

Same at Silverstone when questioned, it will be back.

 

At least you guys have a fall back position.

 

Thank goodness for LDM/FOTA!

Let's hope it happens!

 

Post of the month right there!

 

Laguna Seca does not have the infrastructure and Las Vegas is not willing to give enough space: They wouldn't stage it on the strip but rather in the run down area where they had the Classic GP and CART race and that's not really pretty. Compared to that Indy is still better.

At any rate I'm delighted to hear that the US is a priority as it should. Biggest car market in the world for most FOTA teams.

Somewhat related: I'm pretty sure LdM will move heaven and earth to get a USGP once Chrysler starts selling Fiats in the US.

Cinquecento by Abarth for me please!

 

From your mouth to G'ds ear but we've been promised a lot in the past...

 

True, but I really think the Chrysler/Fiat connection will play a pivotal role: Through the Ferrari crown jewel, LdM has enormous power (see recent FIA/FOTA war). So far Ferraris have been selling in the US like hot cakes, so the lack of the USGP wasn't too much of an issue for LdM. But once he wants to start selling FIATs through Chrylser (as in 2010/2011), then a USGP becomes much more important. I'm sure at that point he will play the Ferrari trump card to get a USGP back if it hasn't materialized. Even Bernie can't run F1 without Ferrari.

 

Too damn hot or too damn cold unless the run it in May or early June...

 

Abarth 500 Corsa Assetto (190 hp; 50 made, 42000 Euros) or Abarth 500 ESS (about 160 hp)?

 

The basic car is available here in Mexico, and it is absolutely wonderful. Interior design brings a smile to your face. On the other hand, Andreas, Ferrari sales are really slow. When you see three dealer owned Scuds on the floor, you wonder.

 

Amen

 

What about F1 at Long Beach?

 

Me, too (but they'll probably badge it a Chrysler Cordoba).

 

I love this guy.

 

+1 Indy was a great Venue.

 

Not exactly sure if this is what everyone else is talking about, but this is just one really great little car. I could not care less if it is called a Cordoba with fine Corinthian leather, or a Dodge Charger.

I want one. In white.
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